16 Claims. (Cl. 119-157) This invention relates generally to devices for oiling the hides of live stock and more particularly pertains in certain improvements wherein the legs, brisket and belly may be more effectively coated with medicating oil or the like.

The use of oiling devices for cattle and other live stock which are adapted to dispense oil directly upon the backs of the animals as they pass thereunder is quite well known. For example, the structure disclosed in my Patent No. 2,814,272, of November 26, 1957 shows an elongate substantially horizontally disposed cylinder constituting an oil reservoir and having a flexible absorbent apron depending therefrom which is saturated with oil from the reservoir and which is suspended from a suitable support such that cattle or other live stock passing thereunder will drag the apron across their backs and consequently dispense oil on theirhides. Now, whereas such constructions are entirely practicable and efiective to distribute medicating oils upon the animals hides, the legs, brisket and belly of the animals particularly do not receive a suflicient quantity of the oil to effect the desired results. The oil used in dispensers of this general type contain a soothing ingredient which treats and relieves itching and which conditions the skin and hair and also includes chemicals which kill flies, lice, mange, mites and other parasites which plague live stock. It is, therefore, desirable to directly apply the oil to as much of the animals hide as is possible.

.t is, accordingly, of primary concern in connection with this invention to provide means to directly apply fluids, such as medicating oils, to the legs, brisket and belly of live stock.

It is, therefore, a further object of this invention to provide a device of the character described which incorporates a plurality of flexible elements disposed in fixed upstanding relationship and which embody absorbent means which are saturated with medicating oil or the like so that when the live stock pass over the flexible members, the absorbent material will directly apply the oil to the undersides of the live stock.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which is utilized in conjunction with an over head oil applying device and wherein the members for applying the oil to the undersides of the live stock are supplied with the medicating oil by drippings from the overhead device.

A further object of this invention is to provide an assembly for applying medicating oil to the legs, brisket and belly of'the live stock which embodies a plurality of upstanding coil springs fixed at their lower ends to a suit able base at the ground surface and wherein the springs carry absorbent means such as waste cotton or the like which is saturated with medicating oil and which will contact the hides of live stock as they pass through and over the spring assemblies.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illus- 2,925,055 Patented Feb. 16, 1960 less conventional overhead oiler and illustrating the disposition of the underside oiler;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view showing a portion of the underside oiling assembly;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken generally along the plane of section line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a modified form of the invention showing portions thereof in section to more clearly .illustrate the principles of operation;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the plane of section line 6-6 in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged horizontal section taken through the reservoir tank and aloug section line 7-7 in Fig. 5.

Referring at this time more partciularly to Fig. 1, reference numerals 10 and 11 indicate a pair of vertical sup-. ports orposts which are interconnected at their upper ends by a cross brace member 12 andwhich cumulatively form a support for the overhead oiling assembly indicated generally by the reference character 13.

The oiler 13'mayjbe of any desired type, for example, it

may be constructed in the manner disclosed in my Patent No. 2,814,272 of November 26, 1957. The oiler 13 includes essentially a substantially horizontally disposed cylindrical reservoir 14 having stub axle elements 15 and 16 projecting from its opposite ends which are rotatably secured to the chain elements 17 and 18 respectively by means of which the assembly is supported from the two posts 10 and 11, as, for example, by the hook 19 shown on the post 11. Secured to and along the length of the reservoir 14 is a flexible, depending apron 21) which is of a suitable absorbent material and which either directly or indirectly is in communication with the oil contained in the reservoir 14 so as to remain in saturated condition.

In general, assemblies of the type described above are placed in a pasture or barnyard or any conventional place where live stock, such as cattle, may pass between the posts 10 and 11 and thus drag the apron. 20 over their backs. Preferably, the outer surface of the reservoir 14 is provided with a roughened surface so as: to scratch the animals back.

The apron 20 will apply a liberal quantity of oil directly to the animals back and whereas some of this oil will seek its way to the underside of the animal, there is no positive assurance that a sufficient amount of oil will be applied particularly to the legs, brisket and belly of the animal to effect the desired end results of soothing the animals skin and killing any parasitic insects which may be present.

In order to apply a suitable quantity of oil directly to the underside of the animal, there is provided a base plate member 21 between the posts 10 and. 11 and preferably substantially directly beneath the overhead oiling assembly 13. Supported on this base plate 21 are a plurality of upstanding, flexible arms indicated generally by the reference character 22 and each of which is rigidly afiixed to the base plate 21 at its lower end, whereby the flexible elements are free to yield as an animal passes between the posts 10 and 11 and brush against the legs, brisket and belly of the animal.

Associated with each 013 the individual flexible elements enemasciated absorbent means alone, in which case the absorbentmeans would, have to be separately saturated with the medicating oil, it is preferred to use the flexible means in association with an overhead oiler of the type generally indicated by the reference character 13, wherein 'the drippings from the apron 20 will maintain the absorbent means in the flexible assemblies 22in saturated condition. Since there is a certain amount of drippage from the apron 20 under normal circumstances, the combination of the two assemblies is efficient from all standpoints.

Preferably, the individual flexibleunderside. oiling assemblies takev the form as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. In this figure, the assemblies will be seen to consist essentially of a coil spring element 23 rigidly aflixed at its lowerend to the base 21 and in'upstanding Disposed inside each of these coil springs is a quantity of absorbent material 24 and the. absorbent material preferably sticks out from between.

relation thereto.

the coils. of the. spring and out through the top-thereof;

as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 sov as to present a maximum surface area for applying the oil' to the animals.

The absorbent means may be. of any desired material, such as waste cotton, :and it may bev placed within. the spring assemblies. while the same are in stretched condition. so that when the springs are released, they will pinch. the material between the coils and hold it in. place.

substantially as is shown in Fig, 3..

Preferably, the upper or freeends'of the springs. are

flared so as to present alarge mass of the absorbent material at the. upper ends of the individual springs.

This is particularly useful in assuring not only that a.

maximum amount of the oil drippingfrom the overhead assembly will be collected but also that a large surfacearea of the absorbent material will wipe against the.

animals hide and thus dispense the oil thereon.

Many means can be employed in securing the s rings to the base plate 21, one such means being illustrated in detail in Fig. 3.

upper surfaceof thebase plate 21. bymeans of a strip 26 through which a bolt, 27 passes serving to hold the strip 26 in clamped; position against: the lowermost coil 25;

The modification. illustrated in. Fig. 4 comprises a suitable base member 29 having a number of upstanding coil spring. elements 30 mounted thereon in similar fashion to those previously described in connection with Figs. 1 -3 inclusive; The coil-springs 30- are, however,

provided attheirupper free ends with transverse flexible members or springs 31 and 32 which are all disposed in substantially aligned relationship with the opposite ends thereof disposed closely adjacent to but not quite transverse flexible members, as isclearly shown in- Fig. 4. The springs 30" touching adjacent ends of adjacent and the transverse springs 31, 32, etc. are filled with suitable absorbent'mat'erial 33 and 34, as is clearlyshown for the purpose of" transferring the medicating oil to the livestock.-

transfer the oil thereto.

to Fig. 1 but includes some additions thereto intended to. more positively'assure-a sufiicient supplyof material In. this 'figure, it. will be seen that: the lowermost coil 25 of the spring isclamped to theto the flexible members. In Fig. 5, reference characters.

35 and 36 indicate a pair of uprights having a cross piece 37 extending therebetween adjacent their upper ends and which are suitably mounted or set into the ground. The cross piece 37 carries through the chain members 38 and 39, the oiler 40, constructed similarly to the previously described; oiler 13. Extending between the uprights 35 and 36 and along the ground surface is a base member 41 uponwhich are mounted a series of upright flexible elements. indicated generally by the reference character 42.

In the specific embodiment shown, the-flexible members 42 alternately take the forms shown respectively in Figs. 1 and 4 as previously described. That is, every other element such as those indicated by the reference characters 43 and 44 take the form of a single vertically disposed coil spring 45 secured at its lower end to the base 41 and being filled with absorbent material 46, and every other: alternateflexible element such as those indicated by the reference characters'47 and 48 comprises an upstanding coil spring 49 secured at its lower end to the base 41 and having secured in transverse relationship theretoacross-its'upper end a second coil spring 50, both of which are filled with absorbent material as indicated bythe referencecharactersSI and 52.

As will be readily apparent upon reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 6; the uprightly disposed coil springs terminate short-of thetop ends of. the elongated'mass of absorbent material therein so that a substantial portion of the absorbentmaterial' lies above the top end of the supporting:

or sustaining means constituting the coil spring and it is spread out in such a wayjas to provide an oil applicating' I the. upstanding. applicator elements.

The modification illustratedin Fig. 5 embodies the essential features of theinvention as set forth in regard A's illustrated in Fig. 6, the specific. means for securin'githe upright coil springs to the base 41 consists of a series of staples 53 which are'engaged over the lowermost coil of the spring as is shownin this figure, and. which serve to. securely anchor the same to. the base.

Extending upwardly substantially concentric within each. of the upright coil springs is a flexible tube54 havingitsl upper end 55 terminating adjacent the upper. end of the coil spring. A single supply line 56 runs along theupper surface of the base 41 and'is connected through suitable.

couplings to all of the various vertical flexibletubes 54 so that all are in common communication with; this supply line.56'.

Mounted at an elevation above the elements 42, as, for example, on the support element 36 is an oil. supply tank 57,v being secured thereto by suitable bracket members. 58 or the like and the supply line 56 is in direct com...

munication with this supplytank, as is illustrated whereby the oil is delivered by gravity to the elements 42..

Mounted adjacent the upper end of the upright 36 is a reservoir tank 59, see particularly Figs. 5 and. 7, and this. tank is secured to the upright by a suitable bracket 60 and is provided with a filler means. 61 and. suitable cap or closure. member 62 and has an opening 63 inits bot-- tom wall to which is connected the conduit. 64 leading: to the supply tank 57. As is shown most clearly inFig. 5, the conduit 64 is connected to. a. suitable float con.- trolled valve 65 disposed within the supply tank 57 and liquidfronr the reservoir..59f is dischargedv into, the supply tank through the outletv nozzle. or. fitting. 66.. The

float 67 in the supply tank. and. forming partof. the valve 7 65'perr'nits apredeterminedlevel ofliquid toaccumulate in the. supply tanlrland it is. preferred. that. this level of liquid be substantially at a height corresponding. to the.

position of the open upper ends- 55; of the. several flexible tubes 54 withinthe various elements 42.

In operation, theabsorbent. material. embodied within. the various flexible elements not only receives a source aeaaoee of the liquid chemical from the oiler assembly 40, as has been previously described in connection with Fig. 1, but the absorbent material also receives a quantity of chemical from the supply tank through the medium of the flexible tubes 54. As the various flexible members are engaged by the live stock, and tilted downwardly, the flexible tubes 54 will deliver chemical into the absorbent material and, of course, a constant level of the chemical will be maintained in the supply tank 57 as provided for by the float valve assembly therein. This positively assures, a constant and adequate supply of liquid chemical to the absorbent material of all of the flexible members and supplements that which is deposited thereon by the overhead oiler 40. By utilizing alternately the single and double forms of flexible elements 42' as shown in Fig. 5, there will be very little area of the assemblage which is not exposed to the dripping from the overhead oiler and there will be little waste, if any, since there will be practically a continuous strip of absorbent material beneath the apron of the oiler 40.

M I claim:

' 1. An oiler for coating the legs, brisket and belly with an insecticide comprising a plurality of elongate, substantially vertically .disposed flexible, resilient elements having their lower ends fixed to a supporting surface and disposed in spaced reationship to, each other to provide a hedge-like assembly through which an animal may pass, each of said elements consisting of an elongate coil spring, and a quantity of absorbent material disposed within each of said springs andprojecting through the coils thereof and from the tops thereof for contact with an animals hide.

2. An oiler for coating the legs, brisket and belly of an animal, comprising a series of aligned and substantially vertically disposed flexible, resilient elements having their lower ends fixed to a supporting surface, each offsaid elements including a main body portion in the form of a coil spring and each spring being filled with a quantity of absorbent material projecting through the ,coils of the spring and from the top thereof for contact with an animals hide, and oil supplying means con- ;nected with the absorbent material in each spring for ;supplying oil thereto.

3. In combination with a support, a horizontally disposed, elongate reservoir suspended from said support, :an absorbent apron fixed along said reservoir and depending therefrom so as to drag across an animals back when passing beneath the reservoir, said apron being adapted for saturation with insecticide contained within said reservoir, a series of upright, flexible applicators fixed along a line below said apron to become saturated with insecticide dripping from said apron, each applicator comprising a vertically disposed, elongate coil spring fixed at its lower end to a support and being stufifed with absorbent material to retain insecticide.

4. In combination with a support, a horizontally disposed, elongate reservoir suspended from said support, anabsorbent apron fixed along said reservoir and depending therefrom so as to drag across an animals back when passing beneath the reservoir, said apron being adapted for saturation with insecticide contained within said reservoir, a series of upright, flexible applicators fixed along a line below said apron to become saturated with insecticide dripping from said apron, each applicator comprising a vertically disposed, elongate coil spring fixed at its lower end to a support and being stuffed with absorbent material to retain insecticide, the upper end of each coil spring being flared, and said absorbent material being disposed in each spring so as to project outwardly thereof through the coils and the flared open top, -whereby to afford a maximum surface area for contacting the legs, brisket and belly of an animal.

, 5. In combination with a support, a horizontally dis- ;posed, elongate reservoir suspended from said support, .an absorbent apron fixed along said reservoir and depending therefrom so as to drag across an animals back when passing beneath the reservoir, said apron being adapted for saturation with insecticide contained within said reservoir, a series of upright, flexible applicators fixed along a line below said apron to become saturated with insecticide dripping from said apron, each applicator comprising, a vertically disposed, elongate coil spring fixed at its lower end to a support and being stuffed with absorbent material to retain insecticide, a substantially horizontal, transverse flexibleelement fixed to the upper end of each coil spring and being stuffed with absorbent material to retain insecticide- 6. An oiler for coating the legs, brisket-and belly of an animal, comprising a series of aligned and substantially vertically disposed flexible, resilient elements having their lower ends fixed to a supporting surface, each of said elements including a main body portion in the form of a coil spring and each spring being filled with a quantity of absorbent material projecting through the coils of the spring and from the top thereof for contact with an animals hide, a flexible tube projecting upwardly within each of said coil springs and being opened at its upper end, a conduit interconnecting and communicating with all of. said flexible tubes, and a supply tank connected to said conduit for discharging liquid chemical through said conduit and tubes into the absorbent material.

7. A live stock oiler assembly comprising a pair of vertical support posts, an elongate reservoir member disposed substantially horizontally between said posts and suspended from adjacent the upper ends thereof whereby the reservoir is disposed above the ground surface, an absorbent apron fixed along and depending from the reservoir for saturation with liquid insecticide disposed within the reservoir, a base extending lengthwise between said posts in direct alignment beneath said apron, a plurality of substantially vertically disposed elongate flexible elements fixed to said base and spaced therealong beneath said apron for receiving chemical drippings from the apron, each of said elements including a coil spring body and a filler of absorbent material in the coil spring body, and means operatively. associated with said elements for supplying supplemental liquid chemical to the absorbent material of said flexible elements.

8. The assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the last I mentioned means includes a flexible tube extending vertically upwardly in concentric relationship within each of said coil springs, a conduit extending along said base and connected to all of said flexible tubes, and a supply tank for containing liquid insecticide and communicating with said conduit.

9. The assembly as defined in claim 8 including means for maintaining a constant level of liquid insecticide within said supply tank, and the level of insecticide within said supply tank being substantially at the same height above the ground surface as are the upper ends of said flexible tubes, whereby liquid insecticide is dispensed into the absorbent material principally when the flexible elements are bent downwardly.

10. The assembly as defined in and by claim 7 wherein every other flexible element consists only of a single vertically disposed coil spring and the absorbent means disposed therein, with intermediate flexible elements consisting of a vertically disposed coil spring and a horizontally disposed coil spring attached at the upper end thereof and defining a T-shaped configuration, the opposite ends of the horizontally disposed coil springs being disposed in closely spaced relation to adjacent vertical coil springs whereby a substantially uninterrupted surface is presented along the series of flexible elements so as to afford a maximum area of engagement with an animals hide.

11. An oiler for coating the legs, brisket and belly of an animal, comprising a series of aligned and substantially vertically disposed flexible, resilient elements hav '12. An oiler for coating the legs, brisket and belly of i an animal, comprising a series of aligned and substantially vertically disposed flexible, resilient elements having their lower ends fixed to a supporting surface, each of said elements including a main body portion in the form of a coil spring andeach spring being filled with a quantity of absorbent material projecting through the coils of the spring and from the top thereof for contact with an animals hide, an oil supply reservoir located at' an elevation above said elements, and means operatively associated with said elements for directing the flow of oil by gravity from said reservoir downwardly to and into contact with said elements for absorption by the elements.

13. An oiler for coating the legs, brisket and belly of an animal, comprising a series of aligned and substantially vertically disposed elongate elements, each of said elements including a long mass of absorbent material and a resilient sustaining means for said mass secured to an underlying supporting surface and extending throughout the major part of the length of the mass, with a substantial amount of said mass of material lying above the sustaining means and forming a top oil applicating tuft for contact with the hide of an animal crossing over the elements, an oil supply reservoir located at an elevation above said elements, and means operatively associated with said elements for directing the flow of oil by gravity downwardly from the reservoir and into contact with and for adsorption by the mass of material forming a part of each of said elements.

14. Apparatusfor applying a liquid coating to the legs, brisket and belly of an animal, comprising a row of vertically positioned elongate applicator elements of two forms in which a first form embodies a long mass of liquid absorbent material and a resilient sustaining means for the mass secured to an underlying supporting surface and extending throughout the major part of the length of the mass with a-substantial amount of the mass lyingabove the sustaining means and forming a top. liquid applicating tuftgand a'second form of element'which embodies an elongate mass of liquid absorbent material with a resilient sustaining means therefor secured to an underlying supporting surface and an elongate liquid;

absorbing element supported upon and transversely of the, top of the last mentioned elongate mass, the first and second forms being arranged in the row with at least one form between two other and different forms, a liquidsup-j ply reservoir located at an elevation above :said elements, and means operatively associated with said elementsfor' directing the flow of oil by gravity downwardly from the reservoir and into contact with and for absorption by the mass of material forming a part of each of saidelements.

15. The invention according to claim 14, wherein the sustaining means for said second form is a coil spring encasing the elongate mass of liquid absorbent material and said transversely supported element has its endseach. adjacent to and directed toward a tuft of a first form. it

16.- The invention according to claim 14, wherein the sustaining'means for said second form is a coil spring encasing an elongate mass of liquid absorbent material and said transversely supported element embodies a-cdil, 7

spring having a mass of absorbent material therein and secured to the top end of the underlying coil spring,- and the height of both forms of elements is approximately the same whereby the tops thereof lie in substantiallyonc common plane.